Woman accused of stealing from elderly veteran

(KMOV.com) – Police believe a caretaker stole from an elderly veteran who has dementia.

Authorities allege Tricia Grass, 23, stole money and items from an 89-year-old World War II veteran. Grass had been hired to take care of the man. Police told News 4 Grass tricked the man into giving her $1,000 cash and drove him to the bank so he could withdraw the money.

“She told the victim that her car had broken down and needed to be towed and she needed one thousand dollars to pay those bills. Out of the goodness of his hear he gave her the money,” said Shanna Bahr with the St. Louis County police.

The victim’s daughter said Grass took something that is even more important to her father.

“He's more upset with the jewelry that she stole. He had a ring that he bought when he came back from World War II. He bought him and his sister a ring, and that's what she took,” Elain Armstrong.

Police said Grass has a criminal past. She has been charged with theft, forgery, and has also faced drug charges; however, the victim’s family told News 4 it was not aware of previous charges.